Doune Daunder: Python, Picts, Ponds and Pistols: Grade C 8mile circular.

Join us for a winter stroll featuring Pythons, Picts, Ponds and Pistols !!
W3W start https://what3words.com/gravy.expel.pest
Grade: C
Length: 8 miles
Ascent: 650ft
Pace: Moderate
We start by passing the site of a Roman Fort and Doune Castle (aka Lallybroch from Outlander) before following a woodland walk alongside the River Teith. We then turn uphill to briefly visit the medieval Old Kilmadock Graveyard, burial site of 10,000 people with graves dating back to the late 16th century. Across the busy A84, we start to climb up a tarmac road towards the wind farm on the Moray Estate. Lunch will likely be at the high point before we descend on a good track, then turn sharply left uphill onto the surprising find of a motor race track, which hosts uphill time trials. Time permitting, we will finish with a visit to Doune Ponds before heading to the Buttercup Cafe on Main Street. Please let us know if you can’t join us for refreshments after the walk.
The Kilmadock Information and Heritage Centre is well worth a visit.
https://douneanddeanston.com/information-centre/.
Thanks to the Moray Estate for permission to walk on their land.

We'll start walking at 10:00 hrs prompt. Please let us know if you're held up or unable to join us by messaging the event organiser via this Meetup website so we do not delay our walk. Car sharing is friendly and gets people out who might not be able to otherwise 😄
Please wear suitable walking footwear for the weather. Walking poles can be helpful for the ascents.
Dogs are welcome, provided they can be put on leads when requested or when conditions require. Please keep your dog under control whilst walking near walkers.

Health & Safety on walks ...
Countryside walking can pose a danger of personal injury, and all participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions, involvement, and enjoyment. Please ensure you have the fitness level required for a Grade C walk.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that their walking gear is suitable for the nature of the walk and the prevailing weather conditions (which participants must check), and for bringing adequate food and water.

By signing up for this walk, you confirm that you have fully read, understood and accepted the preceding and following caveats, including that all participants join this walk of their own volition, walk at their own risk, and are responsible for their own safety and enjoyment. No participant is owed any formal duty of care by the group or the walk leader.